Winless Hiroshima look to end slump
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 19, 2014
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J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima lost 2-1 to Australia's Central Coast Mariners in the AFC Champions League last week. |
J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima will look to end their eight-game AFC Champions League winless streak with the visit of last year's finalists FC Seoul of Korea Republic in Group F on Wednesday at Hiroshima Athletic Stadium.
A drought that stretches back to April 2010 and their last continental competition win - a thrilling 4-3 group stage encounter with Korea's Pohang Steelers - Japan's back-to-back domestic champions have so far failed to transfer their domestic dominance onto the continental stage.
An opening day draw in Japan with Chinese side Beijing Guoan was followed by a disappointing 2-1 away defeat to A-League Premiers Central Coast Mariners in a game in which Hajime Moriyasu's side had taken the lead only to see it snatched away by two Mile Sterjovski strikes within 11 minutes.
"We were expecting a tough game, however, we did not help ourselves by allowing them to score through our own mistakes," said coach Moriyasu following the defeat at Central Coast Stadium.
"FC Seoul are a very strong team because they made it all the way to the final last year, but our goal is to get through the group stages of the AFC Champions League."
Although FC Seoul have begun their domestic season in indifferent form with their opening day defeat to Jeonnam Dragons followed by a goalless draw on Saturday with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, they are currently 10 games unbeaten in Asia's premier tournament.
A comfortable 2-0 victory over Central Coast got their continental campaign off to winning ways before Go Yo-han came off the bench to rescue a 1-1 draw with Beijing last week to maintain their share of the lead in Group F and preserve their undefeated run.
Also yet to suffer a loss so far in this year's edition, Beijing will host a Central Coast side still buoyant from back-to-back victories on the continent and at home.
Phil Moss' team followed up their defeat of Hiroshima with a 3-1 A-League victory over local rivals Newcastle Jets on Saturday and will be aiming to keep their momentum when they face the Chinese Super League side.
Although Beijing also won during domestic action on the weekend, Gregorio Manzano's side will be without defender Zhou Ting and first-choice goalkeeper Yang Zhi through suspension when entertain Central Coast.
In Group D, unbeaten leaders Al Sadd of Qatar will be hope that continued continental success, with the visit of Al Hilal on Wednesday, will help make up for make up for domestic disappointment as they were defeated 3-2 by Qatar Sports Club in the final of the Qatar Stars Cup on Saturday.
And after a 3-1 victory over Iran's Sepahan on Matchday One was followed up with a 1-1 draw with Emirati side Al Ahli, Al Sadd coach Hussein Amotta is fully focused on the upcoming fixture with the Saudi Arabian outfit.
"It is always good to get back home with a point as the result is positive for us," said coach Amotta, following the match with Al Ahli.
"Our concentration now is on the match against Al Hilal as we want to maintain our position on top of the group."
Winless so far on the continent but table-toppers at home, UAE side Al Ahli continued their fine domestic season with a 1-0 away victory over Al Sharjah in the League Cup on Sunday and will look to secure a first maximum in Asia this season when they travel to Isfahan and a clash with Sepahan.
Zlatko Kranjcar's team, however, have had a week's rest with no Iran Pro League commitments over the weekend and a hard-fought 3-2 come-back win in difficult conditions over Al Hilal will have the former finalists in an upbeat mood.
In Group H, former champions and early pace-setters Ulsan Hyundai will look to extend their formidable AFC Champions League winning streak to 12 games with the visit of China's Guizhou Renhe, who have lost their opening two fixtures.
The Chinese Super League side will hope to take confidence from their 2-0 defeat of Tianjin Teda on Saturday, although Ulsan also were victorious over the weekend after comfortably beating Gyeongnam 3-0 in the K-League Classic.
In Group H's earlier game, Western Sydney Wanderers will look to build on their impressive 1-0 away victory in Guiyang last week when they welcome J-League side Kawasaki Frontale,
This will also be a particularly special fixture for Western Sydney's Shinji Ono as it will be the first time the former Japan playmaker has faced his compatriots in competitive action outside of the J-League.
Finally in Group B, bottom side Al Fateh from Saudi Arabia will look to rise up the places with a victory over the group's early leaders El Jaish of Qatar when the sides meet in Al Hassa, while Foolad Khouzestan will hope to follow-up only their second-ever AFC Champions League victory with another three points when they host Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor.
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